Nigerian Rugby Football Federation Releases 14 Man List For Olympic Qualifiers

In line with their promise and drive to qualify for the 2016 Olympics, the Nigerian Rugby Football Federation Technical Committee has released a strong 14 man list for next month’s qualifiers in South Africa.

Arising from their technical meeting held on Tuesday in Lagos, the federation listed Nigeria’s rugby golden boy and speedster, Christian Ogar (Cowrie RFC), Nuhu Ibrahim Samaila (Barewa RFC), Alfred Oche (Jos RFC), Onoru Oyiza Jatto (Cowrie RFC), Samuel Ekpo (Cowrie RFC), Hafis Ayinla (Cowrie RFC) as part of the team to be captained by Azeez Ladipo (Cowrie RFC).

Determined to have a blend of homegrown and foreign base players, 3 players were invited from the United Kingdom, 2 from the United States of America and 1 from South Africa, most of whom were discovered at the recently held President Cup international invitational tournament The Onwukanjo brothers may be in line to feature for the national team together for the first time following the decision of the federation to extend an invitation to Onyinye Onwukanjo (Davenport University Rugby, USA) and Ike Onwukanjo (USA Northeast Olympic Academy).

Other foreign based players are Omotohunola Odulaja (Old Blues RFC, UK), Ayomide Joseph Mogaji (Doking RFC UK), Danjuma Mshelia (Richmond RFC, UK) and Thankgod Okafor (Sharks RFC South Africa)

In a statement made available to the federation’s media department, NRFF Technical Direstor, Fasimoye Olatunji, Technical Adviser, Bandele Coker and Team Doctor, Bukola Bojuwoye will be part of the 19 man delegation to South Africa.

The delegation which will be led by President of the federation, Edward Pam Fom will leave Lagos on the 8th of November for the tournament slated for the 14th and 15th of November Johannesburg.

Head coach and South African Rugby 7s legend, Fabian Juries and all invited foreign players will join the Local boys in Johannesburg on the 9th for the 5 days training ahead of the qualifiers.

Nigerian Rugby team the Black Stallions,

Nigeria is drawn alongside Zimbabwe, Uganda and Zambia in Pool B.

Full list

Christian OGAR (Cowrie RFC, Prop/Hooker)

Ikechukwu ONWUKANJO (USA Northeast Olympic Academy, Wing/Prop)

Nuhu Ibrahim SAMAILA (Barewa RFC, Scrum half/ Playmaker)

Danjuma MSHELIA (Richmond RFC, UK, Wing)

Alfred OCHE (Jos RFC, Fly half)

Omotohunola ODULAJA (Old Blues RFC, Scrum Half/ Playmaker)

Azeez LADIPO (Cowrie RFC, Fly half/ Playmaker)

Ayomide Joseph MOGAJI (Dorking RFC, Prop/ Wing)

Onoru Oyiza JATTO (Cowrie RFC, Wing)

Samuel EKPO (Cowrie RFC, Prop)

Onyinyeukwu ONWUKANJO (Davenport University Rugby, Prop/Hooker)

Hafis AYINLA (Cowrie RFC, Prop)

ThankGod OKAFOR (Sharks RFC, South Africa, Prop/ Centre)

Standby Player
Emmanuel AKINLUYI (Samurai Midwives, HFW Wailers, Prop/Centre)

Nigeria Rugby Football Federation Reveals Sevens Squad For All Africa Games & Pre-Olympics Qualifiers

The NRFF has named the squad to represent Nigeria at the Africa Cup Sevens North Tournament to be held in Lome, Togo on the 6th of June, 2015. The squad, which is coached and led by South African Sevens Rugby Legend Fabian Juries, will feature a plethora of talent.

“The team features eight changes from the side that went to The Africa Cup 7s in Zimbabwe last year, with the inclusion of three foreign based players.

“In this Black Stallions squad, I think we have an extremely talented group of players with the right mix of experience and youth. I’m looking forward to seeing what the team can produce in Togo. The foreign based players will make a big difference. Dajuma has blistering pace and will be vital to the team, Ike will bring something new to this squad as well and Temi Okenla is an experienced playmaker. We will not lack pace at all as we still have our wing man; Christian Ogar and Isaac Sani will bring in his power play onto the squad.” Said Fasimoye Olatunji who is Technical Director and NRFF Vice President.

They will all Stallions will be in camp from May the 27th – June 3rd and train hard together for the task ahead.

The team also includes captain; Azeez Ladipo and young understudy fly half from Jos RFC; Alfred Oche.

Black Stallions 7s coach and ex Springbok player; Fabian Juries is the 4th highest point scorer in world 7-a-side rugby.

Black Stallions 7s team

The Complete Black Stallions Of Nigeria 7s Squad:

Azeez Olanrewaju (Nigeria Police RFC- Lagos)

Onor Jatto (Cowrie RFC- Lagos)

Ayinla Hafis (Cowrie RFC- Lagos)

Obi Wilson (Barewa RFC – Kano)

Ike Onwukanjo (UB RFC- USA)

Isaac Sani (Cowrie RFC)

Nuhu Ibrahim (Barewa RFC- Kano)

Danjuma Mshiela (Richmond RFC – UK)

Azeez Ladipo (Cowrie RFC- Lagos)

Temitope Okenla (Gravesend RFC- UK)

Christian Ogar (Cowrie RFC- Lagos)

Alfred Oche (Jos RFC- Plateau)

Three Foreign Based Players Called Up To Nigeria Rugby Sevens Squad

Richmond RFC winger Danjuma Mshelia and Gravesend RFC scrumhalf, Temitope Okenla has been called up to the Black Stallions Sevens squad for The All Africa Games and Olympics pre-qualifiers in Lome, Togo next month.

Both players play in the UK and were involved in the Black Stallions team back in 2013 at the Mombasa Sports Club, Kenya when Nigeria reached the plate semi finals at The CAR 7s in which Danjuma scored a try against Kenya Shujaa and helped Nigeria reach the plate semi final in the Tournament.

Black Stallions 7s at the CAR 7s 2014 held in Zimbabwe

The NRFF had earlier extended an invite to University at Buffalo junior; Ike Onwukanjo who holds dual United States and Nigerian citizenship.

The Nigerian Rugby Football Federation has been looking for overseas players eligible to compete_ for Nigeria as a way to boost their efforts to qualify for the Rio Olympics and are happy to have Danjuma and Temitope back in the team.

Nigeria will face Ghana, Morrocco, Cote d’ Ivoire, Mali and host Togo in the Tournament to be held on Saturday, 6th June 2015.

Ike Onwukanjo University of Buffalo Rugby player received his call up earlier
photo credit University at Buffalo Rugby Fan Page

Buffalo’s Ike Onwukanjo Gets A Call Up To Play For The Black Stallions

University of Buffalo junior Ike Onwukanjo has been Invited to the Nigerian national sevens side this summer as they try to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games.

The Nigerian Rugby Football Federation has been looking for overseas players eligible to compete for Nigeria as a way to boost their efforts to qualify for the Rio Olympics. Onwukanjo holds dual United States and Nigerian citizenship. The team will compete in a series of tournaments this summer in Europe and Africa and will later compete for the Africa Cup Championships.

“Being invited to play for Nigeria is a tremendous honor,” said Onwukanjo of his selection. “It’s a challenge that I am really looking forward to.”

Ike began his rugby career as a sophomore at New Rochelle High School and joined UB Men’s Rugby upon his arrival in Buffalo where he quickly established himself as a starter on both their fifteens and sevens sides.

Ike Onwukanjo University of Buffalo Rugby player
photo credit University at Buffalo Rugby Fan Page

Ike’s strong play in sevens led to an invitation to last year’s Northeast ODA Sevens camp where he had the opportunity to train with some of the best sevens players and coaches from across the Northeast.

“The ODA was a great learning experience for me. I really learned a lot about what’s required both physically and mentally to compete at the next level,” said Onwukanjo. “And the things I learned at the ODA I was able to apply at UB for our first year moving up.”

Onwukanjo was referring to UB’s first season in the tough Rugby East conference where they failed to win a league game last fall. The dual environmental studies and paralegal major said despite last season’s results, he is looking forward to UB’s second season of D1A rugby.

“The coaches told us there would be no easy games in Rugby East, but I don’t think we fully understood how high the competition level would be,” Onwukango said. “This year we all know what to expect and know how hard we have to work to get ready. I can’t wait.